Tilt ramp trap having bosses

ABSTRACT

A rodent trap includes a box having one or more entrance tubes provided therein. The entrance tubes are in communication with a mouse hole in the side wall of the box. Within each tube is a tilt ramp that tilts in response to a weight of 4 grams at a distance of one and 5/16 inches from the pivot axis to the tilt ramp.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Divisional Application filed from application Ser. No.10/232,283 filed Aug. 30, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,452.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a light weight responsive tilt ramprodent trap.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a typical prior art tilt ramp trap. This trap is ofthe type manufactured under the trademark TIN CAT® by WoodstreamCorporation, Lititz, Pa. 17543. The prior art trap is designatedgenerally by the numeral 100. It includes a box 102 which encloses atrap compartment 104. Providing entrance into the trap compartment 104is a mouse hole 106. Within the box 102 is a tube 107 having a tubeentrance opening 108 adjacent the mouse hole 106 and having a tube exitopening 110 providing communication into the trap compartment 104.

Within the tube 107 is a tilt tramp 112. Tilt ramp 112 pivots about aramp or pin axis 114 and includes an entrance end 116 and an exit end118. A counter weight 120 is provided on the entrance end 116 to biasthe tilt ramp 112 to the position shown in FIG. 7.

A flap 122 is pivoted about a pivot pin 124 and rests by gravity on theentrance end 116 of tilt ramp 112.

When a mouse enters into the mouse hole 106, the mouse M proceeds up theramp, and when the weight of the mouse at 1 5/16^(th) inches from thepivot point or pin axis 114 exceeds 7 grams, the ramp tilts downwardlyto the position shown in FIG. 8. At the same time the flap 122 pivotsupwardly in response to frictional engagement with the end 116 of tiltramp 112.

The above prior art device has several shortcomings. The weight of 7grams at a distance of 1 5/16^(th) inches from the fulcrum or pin axis114 of the tilt ramp 112 is sufficient to cause the ramp to tilt inresponse to a full sized adult mouse, but is insufficient to tilt inresponse to a lighter weight of an immature mouse. Thus younger mice canproceed up the ramp without tilting the ramp and escape merely byreturning down the ramp.

This responsiveness to 7 grams of weight is the result of severalfactors. One factor is the chosen weight of the counterweight 120.Another factor is the friction between the flap 122 and the entrance end116 of the tilt ramp 112. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the flap 122 restswith its face in full engagement with the upper surface of the tilt ramp112, and this adds to the friction required in order to tilt the tiltramp 112. Also, there is a need to reduce the friction caused by the pinaxis 114 and the pivot pin 124.

Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision ofan improved light weight responsive tilt ramp rodent trap.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a lightweight responsive tilt ramp rodent trap which includes a tilt ramp thattilts in response to a weight of 4 grams at a distance of 1 5/16^(th)inches from the fulcrum of the tilt ramp.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of animproved light weight responsive tilt ramp rodent trap which includesdimples and tabs for engaging the flap as the tilt ramp pivots about itstilt ramp axis, thereby reducing the friction between the flap and thetilt ramp.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of animproved hinge for the tilt ramp which reduces the friction necessary tocause the ramp to tilt.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of animproved hinge for the flap which reduces the friction necessary for theflap to pivot in response to the tilting of the tilt ramp.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of animproved counter balance which reduces the force necessary to tilt theramp.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a trapwhich includes tubes for the mouse to enter which are connected to thetop wall of the trap and are pivotal to a position wherein the tubes areoutside the trap for cleaning of the trap.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of animproved rounded corner on the inside of the trap box to facilitatecleaning.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of elongatedribs on the top wall of the box for improving the strength thereof.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of animproved light weight responsive tilt ramp rodent trap which iseconomical to manufacture, durable in use, and efficient in operation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing objects may be achieved by a rodent trap comprising a boxhaving a top wall, a bottom wall, end walls, a front wall, and a rearwall enclosing a trap compartment. There is at least a first mouseopening in one of the front, rear, and side walls of the box and anelongated tube is provided within the trap compartment. The tubeincludes a first open end in communication with the first mouse openingand includes a second end. An elongated tilt ramp is within the tube andincludes an entrance end adjacent the mouse opening of the box and alsoincludes an exit end adjacent the exit opening of the tube.

A hinge pivotally mounts the tilt ramp within the tube for tiltingmovement about a hinge axis from a first position wherein the entranceend is adjacent the bottom wall of the box adjacent the mouse openingand the exit end is elevated above the entrance end, to a secondposition wherein the exit end is lowered from the first position.

A flap is provided on the exit end of the tilt ramp. The flap being incovering relation over the exit opening of the tube when the tilt rampis in its first position and being removed from covering relation overthe exit opening of the tube when the tilt ramp is in its secondposition.

A biased member is connected to the tilt ramp and biases the tilt rampto its first position. The biased member yields in response to a weightof a mouse adjacent the exit end of the ramp to permit the tilt ramp tomove to its second position. The tilt ramp is moveable from its firstposition to its second position in response to a downward force of 4grams at a point between the hinge axis and the exit end of the tiltramp and located 1 5/16′ inches from the hinge axis.

According to another feature of the invention the biased membercomprises a weight attached to the tilt ramp.

According to another feature of the invention the flap is hinged about ahorizontal flap axis and is engaged by the entrance end of the tiltramp. The flap pivots about its flap axis in response to movement of thetilt ramp from its first position to its second position.

According to another feature of the invention the tilt ramp includes camsurfaces projecting upwardly therefrom adjacent its entrance end. Thecam surfaces bear against the flap before moving the flap about its flapaxis during movement of the tilt ramp from its first to its secondposition.

According to another feature of the invention the tilt ramp includesangular tabs projecting from the entrance end of the tilt ramp. Theseangular tabs engage the flap during movement of the tilt ramp from itsfirst position to its second position.

According to another feature of the invention the top wall is hinged tothe box for movement from an open position providing axis to the trapcompartment to a closed position enclosing the trap compartment. Thetube in the tilt ramp are carried by the top wall of the box formovement therewith in responsive to movement of the top wall from itsopen to its closed position.

According to another feature of the invention the tube includes a topwall and an angular flange extending downwardly therefrom. The flapengages the angular flange when the tilt ramp is in its second positionto close the first open end of the tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lightweight responsive tilt ramprodent trap of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lid of the trap in its openposition.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and showingmice entering the trap.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the tilt ramps in theirnormal position without mice present.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail exploded perspective view showing themethod of attachment of the tilt ramp and the hinged flap to the tube ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a prior art device.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a mouse tilting the tiltramp in the prior art device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10 generally refers to the trap ofthe present invention. Trap 10 includes a box 12 having a lid 14 with atransparent window 16 therein. The lid is hinged about a lid hinge 18 toa back wall 24 of box 12. Box 12 also includes a front wall 20 andopposite end walls 22. A bottom wall 26 is also provided in box 12.Opposite end walls 22 are each provided with a plurality of ventilationopenings 28, and each end wall 22 includes a mouse opening 30. The lid14 includes a pair of lift tabs 32 at its front edge for permitting anoperator to grasp the lid and tilt it upwardly from the closed positionshown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 2.

End walls 22, front wall 20, rear wall 24, and lid 14 all are providedwith elongated reinforcing ribs 34 which strengthen these walls againstbending.

Attached to the under surface of lid 14 are two entrance tubes 36 eachof which include opposite side walls 38. Side walls 38 each include arectangular portion 40 and an angled lowered edge 42 which extendsupwardly from the rectangular portion 40. Each tube 36 also includes abottom wall 44 and a top wall 46. Top wall 46 is provided with avertical flange 48 at its inner end and an angled flange 50 adjacent itsouter end. Vent holes 52 are provided in vertical flange 48.

Each tube 36 includes an inlet opening 54 which is adapted to registerwith the mouse opening 30 when the lid 14 is closed so as to prevent amouse to enter the tube. Each tube is also provided with an outletopening 56.

Mounted within each of the tubes 36 is a tilt ramp 58. Tilt ramp 58includes an inlet end 60 and an outlet end 62. A counter weight 64 isattached to the inlet and 60 of the tilt ramp 58 by means of wrappedfingers 66 which extend around the counter weight and attach it to thetilt ramp 58. In addition to the wrapped fingers 66 there are angledtabs 68 which extend outwardly at an inclined angle with respect to thetop surface of the tilt ramp 58. In addition, the inlet end 60 isprovided with a pair of upwardly convex cam surface or dimples 70. Apair of hinge gears 72 extend downwardly from the tilt ramp 58 andreceive an elongated hinge pin 74. As can be seen in FIG. 5, theopposite ends of the hinge pin 74 fit within a boss 76 having areceptacle 78 for receiving the ends of the hinge pin 74. The bosses 76are press fitted within boss receiving holes 80 in the opposite walls 38of the tubes 36. The pins 74 are free to rotate within the receptacle78, and this substantially reduces the friction necessary for the tiltramp 58 to pivot about the hinge pins 74. As can be seen in FIG. 4, thecounter weights 64 cause the tilt ramp 58 to be normally biased in theposition shown in FIG. 4 when there are no mice present. In thisposition the tilt ramp 58 is inclined upwardly from its entrance end 60to its elevated exit end 62.

A tilt flap 82 includes a pair of ears 84 which receive a flap pin 86.The opposite ends of flap pin 86 extend into a pin receptacle 90 of boss88. Bosses 88 are press fitted into the slots 92. As a result the tiltflap 82 is free to pivot about the pin 86 which rotates within thereceptacles 90 of the bosses 88. As with the pin 72 and bosses 76, thesebosses 88 contributes significantly to a reduction in the frictionnecessary to tilt flap 82 about the axis provided by flap pin 86.

Each tube 36 is attached to the lid 14 by means of rivets 94 whichextend through flanges 96 of the side walls 38 of the tubes 36. Otherconvenient means of attachment may be used. The tilt ramps 58 and thetilt flaps 82, because they are attached to the tubes 36, move upwardlyin unison with the tubes 36 when the lid is pivoted from its closedposition shown in FIG. 1 to its open position shown in FIG. 2. In thisopen position the tubes 36 are out of registration with the mouse holes30, and are outside the box 12. This permits cleaning of the trap and isa substantial advantage over prior art devices in that the trap can beeasily and quickly cleaned.

In operation, the tilt ramps 58 are normally in the position shown inFIG. 4. In this position the tilt flaps 82 rest on the upper surface ofthe tilt ramp 58 so that together the tilt ramp 58 and the tilt flaps 82provide an elongated ramp for a mouse to enter through mouse hole 30.When a mouse enters the trap the mouse is drawn instinctively to theupper closed area provided at the upper exit end 62 of the tilt ramp 58.Tilt ramp 58 is adapted to tilt from its upper position shown in FIG. 4to its lower position in FIG. 3 when a weight of 4 grams is applied tothe tilt ramp at a point 1 5/16^(th) inches from the pivotal axisprovided by pins74. FIG. 4 illustrates that this weight w is 4 grams.This is to be contrasted with the prior art devices such as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 which will not tilt until a weight of 7 grams is applied 15/16^(th) inches from the tilt pins 114. The ability of the tilt ramp 58to pivot in response to 4 grams as opposed to 7 grams is enhanced by thecounter weight 66, by the reduced friction of the pins 74 in bosses 76,by the reduced friction of pins 86 and bosses 88, and by a furtherreduction in friction between the flap 82 and the upper surface of thetilt ramp 58. Further friction reduction is facilitated by means of thedimples 70 which engaged the tilt flap 82 during the tilting motionthereby preventing the tilt flap 82 from frictionally engaging the uppersurface of the tilt ramp 58. This reduces the friction during thisinitial motion. In addition, the angled tabs 68 engage the tilt flap 82as shown in FIG. 3 during the latter portion of the tilting action. Thisfurther reduces the friction between the tilt ramp 58 and the tilt flap82.

When the tilt ramp 58 tilts to its lower position shown in FIG. 3, theflanges or angled tabs 68 engage the tilt flap 82 and cause it to engagethe angled flap 50 at the top of each tube 36. This provides a barrierto prevent the mouse from exiting the trap.

A glue board (not shown) may be placed on the floor 26 of the box 12 soas to capture the mice that have entered the trap.

An advantage of the reduced weight required to tilt the tilt ramp 58from its upper most position shown in FIG. 4 to its lowered position inFIG. 3 is that infant mice can be captured in this trap as well as adultmice. Infant mice often have a weight which is on the order of 4 grams,and in prior devices this was not sufficient weight to tilt the tiltramp when infant mice entered the trap. The present invention capturesnot only adult mice but infant mice as well.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed,these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of partsas well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated ascircumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rodent trap comprising: a box enclosing a trapcompartment and having at least a first mouse opening therein providingcommunication into the trap compartment, the box having a bottom wall;an elongated tube within the trap compartment, the tube having first andsecond opposite side walls, a first open end in communication with thefirst mouse opening and a second end in communication with the trapcompartment; an elongated tilt ramp within the tube having an entranceend adjacent the mouse opening of the box and having an exit endadjacent the exit opening of the tube; a ramp hinge pivotally mountingthe tilt ramp within the tube for tilting movement about a hinge axisfrom a first position wherein the entrance end is adjacent tele bottomwall of the box adjacent the mouse opening and the exit end is elevatedabove the entrance end, to a second position wherein the exit end islowered from the first position; a bias member connected to the tiltramp and biasing the tilt ramp to the first position, the bias memberyielding in response to the weight of a mouse adjacent the exit end ofthe tilt ramp to perm the tilt ramp to move to the second position; afirst boss having a boss receptacle mounted to the first side wall ofthe tube and a second boss having a boss receptacle mounted to thesecond side wall of the tube; the ramp hinge comprising a ramp hinge pinhaving a first pin end pivotally mounted within the receptacle of thefirst boss and having a second pin end pivotally mounted within thereceptacle of the second boss, whereby the pivotal movement of the firstand second pin ends within the receptacles of the first and secondbosses reduces the frictional force resisting tilting movement of thetilt ramp in response to the weight of the mouse; a flap mounted to thetube by a flap hinge and engaging the tilt ramp adjacent the entranceend of the tilt ramp, the flap being pivotal about the flap hinge froman open position permitting a mouse to enter the entrance end of thetube to a closed position closing off the entrance end of the tube inresponse to the movement of the tilt ramp from the first to the secondposition; and at least one dimple located between the tilt ramp and theflap for reducing the frictional force between the tilt ramp and theflap during movement of the flap from the open and closed positions inresponse to movement of the tilt ramp from the first to the secondposition.
 2. The rodent trap according to claim 1 wherein the flap hingecomprises a first flap hinge boss mounted to the first side wall of thetube and having a first flap hinge receptacle therein, a second flaphinge boss mounted to the second side wall of the tube and having asecond flap hinge receptacle therein, and a flap hinge pin having firstand second opposite ends each received and pivotal within the first andsecond flap hinge receptacles, respectively, for reducing the frictionalforce resisting the tilting of the tilt ramp in response to the weightof the mouse.
 3. A rodent trap comprising: a box enclosing a trapcompartment and having at least a first mouse opening therein providingcommunication into the trap compartment, the box having a bottom wall;an elongated tube within the trap compartment, the tube having oppositeside walls, a first open end in communication with the first mouseopening and a second open end in communication with the trapcompartment; an elongated tilt ramp within the tube having an entranceend adjacent the mouse opening of the box and having an exit endadjacent the exit opening of the tube; a ramp hinge pivotally mountingthe tilt ramp within the tube for tilting movement about a hinge axisfrom a first position wherein the entrance end is adjacent the bottomwall of the box adjacent the mouse opening and the exit end is elevatedabove the entrance end, to a second position wherein the exit end islowered from the first position; a bias member connected to the tiltramp and biasing the tilt ramp to the first position, the bias memberyielding in response to the weight of a mouse adjacent the exit end ofthe tilt ramp to permit the tilt ramp to move to the second position;the ramp hinge comprising a first boss mounted to the first sidewall ofthe tube and a second boss mounted to the second sidewall of the tube,each of the first and second bosses having a boss receptacle therein,and a ramp hinge pin having first and second opposite ends protrudingwithin the first and second boss receptacles, respectively and beingfree to rotate therein for reducing the frictional force resisting thetilting of the tilt ramp in response to the weight of a mouse; a flapmounted to the tube by a flap hinge and engaging the tilt ramp adjacentthe entrance end of the tilt ramp, the flap being pivotal about the flaphinge from an open position permitting a mouse to enter the entrance endof the tube to a closed position closing off the entrance end of thetube in response to the movement of the tilt ramp from the first to thesecond position; and a dimple interposed between the flap and the tiltramp to reduce friction between the flap and the tilt ramp duringtilting movement of the tilt ramp between the first and second positionsand the pivotal movement of the flap from the open to the closedposition.
 4. The rodent trap according to claim 3 wherein the flap hingecomprises a first flap hinge boss mounted to the first side wall of thetube and having a first flap hinge receptacle therein, a second flaphinge boss mounted to the second side wall of the tube and having asecond flap hinge receptacle therein, and a flap hinge pin having firstand second opposite ends each received and pivotal within the first andsecond flap hinge receptacles, respectively, for reducing the frictionalforce resisting the tilting of the tilt ramp in response to the weightof the mouse.
 5. A method for using a tilt ramp trap comprising a boxenclosing a trap compartment; at least a first mouse opening, in thebox; an elongated tube within the trap compartment, the tube havingopposite side walls, a first open end in communication with the firstmouse opening and a second open end in communication with the trapcompartment; an elongated tilt ramp within the tube having first andsecond opposite side walls, an entrance end adjacent the mouse openingof the box and an exit end adjacent the exit opening of the tube; a ramphinge pivotally mounting the tilt ramp within the tube for tiltingmovement about a hinge axis from a first position wherein the entranceend is adjacent the bottom all of the box adjacent the mouse opening andthe exit end is elevated above the entrance end, to a second positionwherein the exit end is lowered from the first position; a bias memberconnected to the tilt ramp and biasing the tilt ramp to the firstposition, the bias member yielding in response to the weight of a mouseadjacent the exit end of the tilt ramp to permit the tilt ramp to moveto the second position, the method comprising: rotating the first andsecond opposite ends of a hinge pin comprising part of the ramp hingewithin spaced apart receptacles of first and second bosses,respectively, the first and second bosses being mounted to the oppositesidewalls of the tube so as to reduce the frictional forces required totilt the tilt ramp from the first to the second position in response tothe weight of the mouse; engaging the entrance end of the tilt ramp witha pivotally mounted flap and pivoting the flap about a flap axis from anopen position to a closed position in response to movement of the tiltramp from the first position to the second position; and placing atleast one dimple between the tilt ramp and the flap so as to furtherreduce the frictional forces required to tilt the tilt ramp from thefirst position to the second position in response to the weight of themouse.
 6. The method according to claim 5 and further comprisingrotating the first and second opposite ends of a flap hinge within firstand second receptacles, respectively of first and second bosses mountedto the first and second opposite wails of the tube so as to reduce thefrictional forces required to tilt the tilt ramp form the first positionto the second position in response to the weight of the mouse.